Hope for Parents Navigating Early Signs of Autism
Noticing something just a little off in your baby’s development? As first-time parents, it can be tough to know what’s typical in those early months. But things like missing eye contact, not reacting to sounds, or delays in movement might be early signs of autism. In this video, Dr. Drake shares key age-specific red flags to watch for between 3 months and 2 years—plus how stress on the nervous system may be playing a bigger role than you think. If something feels off, trust your instincts. You’re not alone—we’re here for you and cheering your family on every step of the way! ♥️
"I’m worried my son may have autism," a mom quietly shared during our consultation.
Her 2-year-old was struggling with milestones—low muscle tone, speech delays, lack of social engagement—combined with immune challenges and intense behavioral shifts. After trying countless therapies and medications from specialist after specialist with minimal progress, she was understandably overwhelmed.
You could see her determination—this mom was on a mission for answers. But behind that drive, you could feel the fear. What do these signs really mean? Is there more going on? And how do I find a way through this storm?
Maybe you've felt that same uncertainty. Maybe you've been told it’s “just bad luck” or “genetics,” leaving you feeling powerless. But what if there’s another perspective—one backed by science—that reveals a deeper story?
There’s growing research that shows how a cascade of stressors, starting even before birth, can interfere with healthy brain and nervous system development. These aren’t rare occurrences either—they’re incredibly common and too often overlooked or dismissed.
In this video, we’ll walk you through what we call the Perfect Storm—a sequence of events beginning in pregnancy or birth that disrupts neurological development, weakens immune function, and often leads to the chronic challenges more and more children face today.
The good news? We’ll also introduce natural, drug-free solutions that target the root cause—offering true, lasting improvements.
This resource is designed for parents who have noticed early signs—subtle delays or social differences in their child’s first two years—that may raise concerns about autism or other developmental challenges.
We’ll break down what early signs to watch for—by age—so you can feel more confident and informed. We’ll also highlight suspected contributing factors like birth trauma, infections, and why the role of specialists like neurologically-focused pediatric chiropractors is becoming more crucial than ever.
Every child’s developmental path is unique, but when delays are present—especially those tied to autism—there’s often a clear sequence of stress and dysfunction we can trace back. While genetics play a role, research points to additional influences such as maternal infections, prematurity, medication exposure, and birth trauma—especially involving oxygen loss or tension in the upper neck and brainstem.
Stack up all these stressors, and it’s the central nervous system that takes the biggest hit—leading to poor sensory integration, delayed milestones, and behavior that often gets chalked up to a diagnosis.
That’s why early recognition is so critical. The sooner we identify these stress patterns, the greater the opportunity to improve your child’s quality of life.
Here are just a few early signs to watch for:
By 3 months: lack of eye contact, not grasping objects, not bringing hands to mouth
By 7 months: not turning toward sounds, not laughing or engaging
By 9 months: no response to their name, no imitating gestures, no shared attention
By 12-24 months: absence of speech or gestures, not standing, and extreme sensitivity to light, touch, or sound
While some providers may encourage a “wait and see” approach, early action is key—and can be life-changing.
So how can Neurologically-Focused Pediatric Chiropractic help? The answer is simpler than you might think.
It starts with one core system: the autonomic nervous system, specifically the vagus nerve. As Pediatric Experience-trained doctors, we never claim to cure or treat autism—but we do focus on restoring balance within the nervous system.
If a child’s nervous system is stuck in a dysregulated, fight-or-flight state due to subluxation and dysautonomia, then even the best combination of therapies—speech, OT, ABA, supplements, special diets—may fall short. That’s why so many families see breakthrough progress after addressing the nervous system directly.
The storm begins when subluxation takes hold. And the earlier it starts, the more intense the downstream effects. That’s why children with long-standing nervous system stress are at higher risk for more significant developmental and health challenges.
So if you’ve noticed anything—big or small—that feels off in your child’s development, trust your gut. Seek answers, seek hope, and don’t stop until you find a team that listens.